The MOD has closed Longmoor after cyclists and walkers disrupted army training, causing safety concerns.
East Hampshire: The MOD has closed off a beautiful spot called Longmoor. This happened because some rude cyclists and walkers disrupted army training.
They taped off entry points around Liss Forest, Griggs Green, and the A3. This area is now off-limits to the public.
The decision came after two incidents on January 19. During training, some people went off-trail and caused problems.
These trespassers upset the troops and were rude to the rangers. So, the MOD decided to seal off the area.
The restrictions will last until this Friday. One incident involved walkers crossing an active training area and arguing with safety team members.
Another issue was a mountain biker who sped past a ranger on an unauthorized path. The Longmoor Loop path remains open, though.
The MOD might close the site again if needed. They urge visitors to respect the rules and the military.
Last summer, the MOD considered closing the Forest Road car park due to littering problems.
A spokesperson said the public can only access the Defence Training Estate when no military training is happening.
Currently, multiple units are training at Longmoor, so access is restricted. Recent unauthorized entries have put everyone at risk.
Last year, the public was denied access for long periods while training Ukrainian troops as part of Operation Interflux.
